Will Grayson Will Grayson

Green, John, and David Levithan. Will Grayson, Will Grayson. New York: Dutton Juvenile, 2010. Print.

In Will Grayson, Will Grayson, two characters with the same name tell their stories in alternating chapters written by Green and Levithan. One Will Grayson is moody and pessimistic, struggling to come out to his mom and unable to make friends at school. The other's life is defined by his best friend Tiny Cooper, a larger-than-life presence whose positivity and self-assurance drive the story. When an unlikely romance begins between Tiny and the first Will, the paths of the characters intersect and all gain new insights to identity, love, and friendship. The culmination comes with Tiny's autobiographical and self-written school musical, bringing his message to the entire community.

The book is quirky, fun, and easy to read and understand. The content is most appropriate for high school students, most of whom could find an aspect of the book to identify with and enjoy. The messages about optimism, pessimism, and our purposes in life are well placed and refreshing to read. Although the book may not be rife with content and complexity for a classroom selection, it is a great piece of reality fiction for free reading or general recommendations.